Electrical dehydrator



June B, 3.925. 3,543,928

R. E. LAND ELECTRICAL DEHYDRATOR Filed Aug. 4, 1923 2 Sheets-Shee 1 ,47T TORNEKS; l

June S, E925. 3.5439928 R. E. LAND ELECTRICAL DEHYDRATOR Filed'Aug. 4, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 [/vgL/E/YTOR .f RECTOR El LM4/VLD),

Patented .lune 30, 1925.

- UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

n RECTOR E. LAND, 'OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOB -TO PETROLEUM RECTIFYING COMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRICAL DEHYDBATOR. 1

lApplication led Aug-ust 4, 1923. Serial No. 855,694.

To all 'whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, RECTOR E. LAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, in the 'county of Harris, State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Electrical Dehydrator, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to electrical dehydrators employed for breaking down emulsions of oil and water which are encountered inthe production of crude oil.. s

Various conditions in the flow of oil and water from a well cause the formation of emulsions which consist of the natural crude oil as it is delivered from the well and fine particles of water suspended therein. These particles of water being of 'minute size are not of sufficient mass to be affected by gravity or centrifugal force in such a manner that they will readily separate from the oil, owing to the fact that the viscidity of the oil tends to hold the waterlparticles in suspension and resists the action of separating forces, such as gravity or centrifugal force, which may be exerted thereupon. `It has been found that by subjecting the emulsion to the action of an electrostatic eld, the fine particles of water may be caused to agglomerate into drops of sufficient size to readily separate out of the oil by gravitation. In the use of electrical dehydration, a tendency toward the formation of Water chains across the electrodes is encountered, these water chains forming electrical conductors and It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrical dehydrator, a means for directing the flow or circulation of the emulsion in such a manner that all parts thereof are passed through the electrostatic fields with theresult that a very high eiliciency in the treatment of the emulsion is obtained.

v1--1 in Fig. 2.

The especial advantages of they invention yand further objects thereof will be made vention, this section being taken substantially on a plane represented by the line Fig. 2 is a plan view of the dehydrator.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on a plane represented by the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 11 represents an outer shell comprised of a cylindrical side Wall 12 built up preferably from sheet metal, a top member 13, and a bottom 14. Suitably supported within the shell 11 is a housing 5 which constitutes a flow directing memer. ber 15 does not constitute a part of the invention and may consist of any means such as a frame 17, having legs 18 which rest upon the bottom 14. The member 15, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 is formed of a continuous side plate 19 formed with a semi-circular return bend 20 at the top thereof and end plates 21 which have the upper portions thereof cut on a semi-circle to correspond with the return bend 20. L1 this manner, a housing member is formed, which is open at the bottom and substantially closed at the upper end, except for a trio of openings 23 which are arranged in triangular arrangement, and are intended for the accommodationv of supporting rods 24-24 and 25 which extend downwardly from insulators 27 disposed in the top 13 of the shell 11.

Extending diametrically within the shell and in a plane with the axis of the housing 15 is a shaft 29, supported at one end in a bearing member 30 and having the other end projecting through a stufing vbox 31, situated inthe cylindrical wall 12 of the shell 11. Upon the shaft circular discs 33 The manner of supporting the mem- 4 are mounted to provide grounded or dead electrodes, and means for rotating these electrodes is provided in the form of a pulley 34, situated upon the .outer end 35 of the shaft 29 and adapted to be rotated from a suitable power source by any suitable means such as a belt shown at 36. Live electrodes 39 are circular in shape, but do not extend through an angle of fully 360 degrees, being discontinued as indicated at 40 in Fig. 3 so that a notch is formed which communicates with a central opening 41. The electrodes 39 are mounted upon bars 43 in spaced relationship and are supported by the rods 24 in such a position that they will be dis osed intermediate of thc electrodes 33 an will iit down over the'shaft 29 in the manner indicated in Fig. 3. It will be noticed that the end rotating electrodes 33, indicated specifically as 45, are disposed close to the ends 21 of the housing 15 so that but small space is left between the dead electrode and the ends walls 21.

The emulsion of oil and water to be treated is introduced into the treater through piping 46, having a valve 47 therein and leading into a perforated pipe ring 48 placed substantially in the center of the 'mouth of the housing so that the emulsion will be delivered centrally into the housing and will rise upwardly therein through the electrostatic field impressed between the live and dead electrodes. A heating coil 49 is provided into which steam may be introduced through piping 50 for they purpose of heating the inflowing emulsion.

In the electriiieation of the electrodes, a conductor is connected between the shell 11 and one side of an electrical current source, such as the secondary 61 of a transformer. Another conductor 62 is connected between the secondary 61 and one of the 'supporting rods 24. 4 The dead electrodes 33 are grounded through the shaft 29 with the shell 21, whereas the live electrodes 39 are supported upon the bars 43 and are electrified through one of the supporting rods 24 which extendthrough the insulator 27.

For the purpose of adjusting the height of the electrodes 39 it may be desired to thread the upper ends of the rods 24 and 25, and to screw end wheels 65 thereon which may be rotated so as to move in either direction upon the rods, thereby providing a simple means for adjustment.

The emulsion from the distributor ring 48 passes upwardly through the spaces between the electrodes 33 and 29, as indicated by the arrows 70, across which spaces, electrostatic fields are impressed, with the result that the minute water particles combined with the viscous oil in forming the emulsion, are coalesced into larger formations which in turn agglomerate into drops of sulicient size to be effected by the forces of gravity and by the centrifugal action set up due to the rotation of the plates 33; with the result that the larger of these drops are thrown outwardly and passed downwardly within the housing 15 as indicated by the arrows 71 in Fig. 3. Smaller drops may be carried upwardly within the housing and How outwardly with the oil through the opening 23 into the relatively larger space surrounding the housing wherein the Water particles settle by gravity and flow downwardly, as indicated by the arrows 72 around the outside of the housing 15 and drop to the lower portion of the shell 11, where they combine with the body of water 74 which collects in the lower portion of the dehydrator and is 'drawn oil' regularly through drain piping 75 provided with a valve 76.

' The dehydrated oil passes out from the dehydrator through piping 77 which com'- municates through an outlet. open-ing 78, situated at the peak 79 of the top 13. Relative movement between the electrodes 33 and 39 prevents the formation of water chains which are a source of trouble in the dehydration of petroleum oil emulsions, and the rotary action of the electrodes 33 sets up an agitation which assists in the coalescing of the minute water particles and imparts thereto a centrifugal vaction which throws the larger water formations outwardly from between the electrodes and toward the walls of the housing 15 wherein they settle to the bottom by gravitation.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a dehydrator, the combination of: a shell; .a horizontal shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating flat plate electrodes mounted substantially evenly spaced along said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes; and means for impressing an electric potential between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes.

2. In a dehydrator, the combination of.;v a shell; a horizontal shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft;

` rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes; an inner shell within said shell, said inner shell having the lower end thereof open and fitting down over said electrodes; and means for impressing an electric potential between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes.

3. In a dehydrator, the combination of: a shell; a horizontal shaft extendino within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes; an inner shell within said shell, .said inner shell fitting down over said electrodes and having openings therein through which oil to be treated may circulate; and means for impressing an electric potential between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes.

4. 'In a dehydrator, .the combination of:

a shell; a horizontal shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotatingy electrodes;

an inner shell within said shell7 said inner shell having the lower end thereof open and fitting down over said electrodes, Ithere being openings in the upper portion of said inner shell through which treated oil mayV pass into the space between said inner shell and said shell; means for rotating said shaft;

rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes; an inner shell within said shell, said inner shell fitting down over said electrodes and having openings therein through which oil to be treated may circulate; insulated suspension means for said stationary electrodes, said suspension means extending through certain of said openings disposed in the top of said inner shell; and means for im ressing an electric potential between sai stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes.

6. In a dehydrator, the combination of: ashell;a horizontal shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes, said stationary electrodes being in the form of plates having upwardly extending indentations in the lower edges 'thereof for permitting said plates to be lowered over said shaft; means for impressing an electric potential between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes; and means-for introducing oil which will flow upwardly between said electrodes.

7. In a. dehydrator, the combination of: a shell; a horizontal shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationaryv electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes, said stationary electrodes being in the form of plates having upwardly extending indentations in the lower edges thereof for permitting said plates to be lowered over said shaft; an inner shell within said shell, said inner shell having the lower end thereof openy and fitting down over said electrodes; means for impressing an electric potential 'between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes; and means for introducing oil which will flow upwardly between said electrodes.

8. In a dehydrat'or, the combination of: a shell; a horizontal Shaft extending within saidshell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes, said stationary electrodes being in the form of plates having upwardly extending indentations in the lower edges thereof for permitting said plates to be lowered over said shaft; an inner shell within said shell, said inner shell fitting down over said electrodes and having openings therein through which oil to be treated may circulate; meansfor impressing van electric potential between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes; and means for introducing oil which will ow upwardly between said electrodes.

9. In a dehydrator, the combination of: .a shell; Va horizontal shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes, said stationary electrodes being in the form of plates having upwardly extending indentations in the lower edges thereof for permitting said plates to be lowered over said shaft; an inner shell within said shell, said inner shell having the lower end thereof open and fitting down over said electrodes, there being openin s in the upper portion of said inner shel through which treated oil may pass into the space between said inner shell and said shell; insulated suspension means for said stationary electrodes, said suspension means extending through said upper openings in said inner shell; means for impressing an electric potential between said stationary electrodes 'and said rotatin electrodes; Zand means for introducing oil which will flow upwardly between said electrodes.

10. In-a dehydrator, the combination of: a shell; a horizontal shaft extendin within said shell; means-for rotating sai shaft; rotating 'electrodes' mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes, said stationary electrodes being in the form of plates having upwardly extendin indentations in the lower edges thereo for permitting said plates to be lowered overl' said shaft; an. inner shell- A'within said shell, said inner shell fitting down over said electrodes and having openings therein through which oil to be treated. may circulate; insulated suspension means for said stationary electrodes, said suspension means extending through certain of said openings disposed in the top of said inner shell; means for impressing an electric potential between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes; and means for introducing oil which will flow upwardly between said electrodes.

11, In a dehydrator, the combination of: a shell; a horizontal shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes, said stationary electrodes being in the form of plates having upwardly extending indentations in the lower edges thereof for permitting said plates to be lowered over said shaft; an inner shell within said shell, said inner shell havin the lower end thereof open and fitting own over said electrodes; means for-impressing an electric potential between said stationary7 electrodes and said rotating electrodes; and means for introducing oil into the lower end of said inner shell so that it may low upwardly between said electrodes.

12. In a dehydrator, the combination of: a shell.; a horizontal shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating electrodes mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith; stationary electrodes disposed between said rotating electrodes, said stationary electrodes being in the form of plates having upwardly extending indentations in the lower edges thereof for permitting saidplates to be lowered over said shaft; an inner shell within said shell, said inner shell having the lower end thereof open and fitting down over said electrodes, there being openings in the upper portion of said inner shell through which treated oil may pass int-o the space between said inner shell anil said shell; insulated suspension means for said stationary electrodes, said suspension means extending throu h said upper openings in said inner shell; means for impressing an electric potential between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes; and means for introducing oil into the lower end of said inner shell so that it may flow upwardly between said electrodes.

13. In a dehydrator, the combination of: a shell; a shaft extending within said shell; means for rotating said shaft; rotating at plate electrodes substantially evenl spaced along said shaft; stationary flat p ate electrodes disposed between said rotatin electrodes; and means for impressing an ectric potential between said stationary electrodes and said rotating electrodes.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at El Dorado, Arkansas, this 23 dayof July, 1923.

RECTOR E. LAND. 

